Utah fans react to rough loss to Arizona


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SALT LAKE CITY — The University of Utah traveled to Arizona for their first game out of the state this season, and it wasn't pretty. The Utes were outmatched from the beginning to the end, losing 35-24.

From the onset, Utah stalled on offense, with Travis Wilson struggling to connect with his receivers.

"Wow. Utah isn't looking exactly sharp coming out of the gate tonight," tweeted Dan Sorensen.

Arizona quickly scored on their opening drive, with Wildcats quarterback B.J. Denker and running back Ka'Deem Carey moving the ball down field. Denker scored on a 10-yard rushing touchdown to give the Wildcats an early 7-0 lead.

"Utah looked like an FCS defense on that drive," tweeted Brian Swinney. "Worst defensive series of the season BY FAR."

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"Utes clearly spent the week reading their own headline, and didn't bother to gameplan against the run," tweeted Brandon. "Going to be a long night at this rate."

And it was a long night for the Utes, who allowed Carey to run the ball for 236 yards on 40 carries. The defense had no answer for Carey and his physical assault on the ground game.

"The difference between every other team in the P12 and the Utes is that every other team has a game-changer like K. Carey and Utah doesn't," Will Loutensock tweeted.

"Remember last week when the Utes had arrived and were going to run the table and win the Pac-12 South? Yeahhhhh about that," Brennan Smith tweeted.

Utah did manage to battle back in the third to take the lead, with backup quarterback Adam Schulz leading the charge after Travis Wilson left the game with a hand injury. A muffed punt return by Arizona was recovered by Utah and later turned into a touchdown and a 55-yard flea flicker touchdown pass by Schulz to Sean Fitzgerald gave the Utes a 21-20 lead.

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"Just when I start doubting the #Utes, they come back and do something incredible like that," tweeted Craig Erickson. "I should be flogged in public."

"So impressed by Utah right now," Mike tweeted. "D has figured out AZ and Schulz is stepping up!"

"So proud of @aschulz12 keep it goin brotha!!!!" tweeted former Utah quarterback Jordan Wynn.

But the luck was never with the Utes when freshman placekicker Andy Phillips missed two field goals — Phillips missed a 42-yard attempt at the end of the second quarter and a 40-yard attempt late in the fourth quarter.

Phillips' final field goal attempt left many fans questioning the call by Kyle Whittingham's staff. Utah was down four and was facing fourth and two, but elected to kick a field goal, which Phillips missed.


The difference between every other team in the P12 and the Utes is that every other team has a game-changer like K. Carey and Utah doesn't.

–Will Loutensock


"WHY WHY WHY WHY WHYYYYYY do you try (for) the FG???!?! We are down 4!" tweeted Scott States. "I would be much less upset not converting on 4th."

"Stupid play calling lost the game for the Utes," tweeted Jesse Card. "Way too conservative."

"Whittingham will have to answer to that field goal tonight," tweeted Chris Foukas. "That's a bad decision."

However, Utah was playing with a backup quarterback that may not have had the confidence of the coaching staff to get the first down.

"That call to not go for it on 4th is all about not having confidence in Adam Schulz," tweeted Andrew Gorringe.

Despite the loss, some are looking on the positive side.

"Another close game ends in a loss," Nate Sato tweeted. "This team is learning the hard way what it takes to win. We are young. Growing pains suck."

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